my helmet, enough to drive it in, and to inflict upon my forehead a cut which went to the bone, but from which no ill effects arose, further than was occasioned by the immediate bleeding. CHAPTER VIII. Amen, amen! but come what sorrow can, SHAKEPEARE. THE morning following this affair, brought the news, that the late bloodshed and riot which had taken place between Lords Berkeley and Lisle, had reached the King's ears; and that a strict and severe enquiry was about to be instituted, touching the whole concern. While on the other hand, letters from friends and allies came from London, assuring Lord Berkeley that he had only to remain quiet, and the storm would blow over; or rather be overwhelmed by one which was brewing in another quarter. Under these circumstances, fresh orders were issued for the whole strength of the castle to be kept within the walls, as much as the due regard to the safety of the surrounding domains would warrant. All these mandates were rigidly obeyed, and thus we seemed again destined to undergo for some time an irksome and tedious mode of living. The day after our midnight adventure I did not rise till late; nor should I then have roused myself, had not Sir Maurice entered my room and sat himself down on the foot of my bed. He conversed with me as to the skirmish, praised my coolness, and told me how much he was indebted for the blow bestowed on the villain who was on the point of giving him an arrow, and ended by saying, "Thou mayest perhaps, Herbert, have saved my life, and, in token of my friendship, receive and wear this ring. In the hour of danger, let it serve to brace thy heart and give a coolness to thy courage, without which the most gallant soul may fail." He took my hand and placed the ring upon my finger. It was of gold, of Roman origin, and bore an oval device, representing a female figure with a veil surrounding the head, but thrown back, and one foot resting on the globe, inscribed, Omen at a deo. Had Sir Maurice, or any one spoken harshly, nay cruelly to me, I should not have wept; the blow which last night deluged me with blood engendered not a single sigh; but there was something so gratifying, so overpowering in hearing my courage praised by one so truly brave himself, that I laid my head upon his hand as it pressed mine, and wept like a child. He himself was affected, but soon resumed the conversation, and was delighted when told that I felt convinced he had cut down Master Rufus; both of us most heartily hoping that his helmet had not proved to be as strong as mine. Thus, and with the like conversation we passed some time, when on his departure to attend his brother on business, I was left in a happy state of reflection. Nor could I prevail upon myself to break through my meditations till the day was well nigh spent; and even then, on descending to the hall, my vanity induced me to forget my right-hand glove, in order that my ring might meet my eye as often as possible. From that ring my hand would never have parted, but alas! it was lost in a mutual grip of life or death, not far from the church of Nibley; and at the time of my writing this, may be trodden deep into the earth by the unconscious feet of kine. Should it be found in after years, when the hand that traces these lines is no more, and should the finder happen to cast his eyes on my pages, which by that time may be moulded or defaced, anxiously does the writer hope there may yet be enough of its characters legible, to inform him— that that ring is still the symbol of a friendship which lasted through life; a gift from the best of men as a reward for the first good blow dealt by a |